Flushing-tank.



PATENTED JUNE 20, 1905.

- o. M. ALEXANDER..

FLUSHING TANK.

APPLIoATIoN FILED JULY 5,1904. EENEWED MAY 1a. 1905.

2 SHEETS-*SHEET l.

No. 792.955. PATENTED JUNE 20-l '1905.

- 0. M. ALEXANDER. I ELUSHING TANK. APPLIcATIoN FILED JULY 5,1904. nmuwnn my 1s. 1905.

' v a snBBTs-snsnr z.

Patented June 20, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

OLIN M. ALEXANDER, OF ANNISTON, ALABAMA.

FLUSHING-TANK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 792,955, dated June 20, 1905.

Application filed July 5, 1904.` Renewed May 15, 1905. Serial No. 260,588. i

To (LZ/Z 'LU/wm, t may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIN M. ALEXANDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Anniston, in the county of Calhoun and State of Alabama, have invented new and useful Improvements in Flushing-Tanks, of which the following is a specification. y

rlhis invention relates to liushing-tanks, and aims to provide a tank of such class which shall be simple in its construction, strong, durable, efficient in its use, readily placed in and removed from its operative position, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

The invention further aims to provide a flushing-tank which will overcome the usual noise made by the Siphon, as well as overcome the noise generally created when refilling the tank after the flushing operation.

The invention further aims to provide a flushing-tank which can be mounted in the wall of a dwelling-or inclosed in the wall of a dwelling, thereby overcoming the unsightly projecting boxes or tanks now in general use.

The invention further aims to provide a flushing-tank with means to increase or decrease the amount of water held by the tank and to further provide means for discharging the water from the tank more rapidly than the supply of the water to the tank, at the inlet part thereof.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forminga part of this specification, and wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Figure l is a sectional elevation of a Hushing device constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the float shown in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a split screw used for closing the water-passage of the float shown in Fig. l. Fig. 4C is a sectional elevation of a modified form of flushing device constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 5 is a sectional view ofthe lower portion of the device illustrated in Fig. 4, showing the plunger in its elevated position. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing the various positions in full and dotted lines of the valve for closing communication between thel reservoirsection and the plunger-section; and Fig 7 is an elevation showing the plunger in both constructions.

A iiushing-tank constructed in accordance with this invention comprises what may be termed two sections one of which is designated the reservoir-section and, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, terminates atits bottom into what is designated the plunger-section but, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the reservoir-section is detachably connected at its bottom to the plunger-section. The reservoir-section is detachably connected at its top in a manner hereinafter referred to to a water-supply, and the plunger-section is detachably connected at its bottom in a manner hereinafter referred to to the ordinary standpipe.

The reservoir-section consists of an ovalshaped tank or receptacle l, adapted to receive a supply of water for flushing purposes, and said tank or receptacle 1 is contracted at its top, or, in other words, has its top formed substantially conical, with an opening at the apex thereof. The top of the tank or receptacleV l is designated by the reference character 2, and the opening therein is designated by the reference character 3, and said top 2 is provided with a flange 4f to permit of connecting the tank or receptacle l through the medium of a coupling-band 5 with a water-inlet supply-pipe 6, having a cut-od 7. The reservoir-section further comprises a hollow float 8, provided with a centrally -arranged waterpassage 9, which is closed at its bottom through the medium of an adjustable split screw l0, the latter regulating the flow of Water out through the bottom of said passage 9. The float 8 is adapted to contain gas or air, as desired, and is of such diameter with respect to the inner diameter of said tank or receptacle l as to form a space or passage 11 between the inner face of the tank or receptacle 1 and the outer face IOO of said float 8, thereby permitting of the iiow of water, or rather the supply of water, from the top of said tank or receptacle 1 to the lower portion thereof, causing thereby the float to rise. The fioat 8 is provided with an extensible and removable enlarger or diminisher 12, which is in the form of a plurality of removable collars, (only one shown,) and said collars or strips are adapted to increase or decrease the quantity of water supplied to the tank or receptacle 1, as well as regulate the supply thereof. When the width of the passage 11 is regulated, the iiow of water through the passage 9 is also regulated by adjusting the split screw 10. It may be well to state that the head 13 of the split screw 10 is adapted to close the outlet end of the passage 9. Depending from the bottom of the float 8 is a wedge-shaped deflecting-blade 14, which is hinged at its upper end, as at 15, to one side of the said float 8. The function of said defiecting-blade 14 will behereinafter referred to. As shown in Fig. 1, the lower portion of the tank or receptacle 1 is contracted, as at 16, and terminates in the plunger-section, to be hereinafter referred to, and by contracting the said lower end ofthe tank or .receptacle 1 a pocket 17 is provided for the shiftable globular valve 18, said valve 18 being constructed of any suitable material. At one side of the pocket 17 an adjustable retaining-screw 19 is provided for holding the valve 18 in the pocket 17 when said valve 18 is shifted off its seat and until said valve 18 is shifted out of the pocket 17 through the medium of the deflecting-blade 14 in a manner as hereinafter referred.

The plunger-section comprises a tubular portion 20, which is arranged at the upper end of said plunger-section and terminates in the bottom of said reservoir-section and has the inner face at the upper end thereof beveled, as at 21, to form a valve-seat for the valve 18. The tubular section 20 extends into a casing 22 and has one portion secured to said casing, as at 23, and the other portion terminating' into a for\var :llyprojeeting aperturcd guide-arm 24. The casing 22 projects rearwardly, as at 25, and then upwardly at the back of said tubular portion 40, as at 26, and forms a passage 27, the function of which will be hereinafter referred to. The rearwardly-extending portion 25 of the casing 22 is arranged at a point removed from the arm 24, thereby forming a chamber 28, the function of which will be hereinafter referred to. rlhe lower end of the casing 22 is 'connected to the ordinary stand-pipe through the medium of a coupling-collar 29. Vertically operable within the tubular portion 2O is a hollow plunger 30. Said plunger is `open at its top, closed at its bottom, and open at its front, at the lower end thereof, as indicated by the reference character 31. The upper face of the closed bottom of the plunger is arm 34 and the lower portion of the rod 35 being arranged within the chamber 28, and the vertically-extending part of said rod 35 is adapted to operate in the passage 27. The upper end of the rod 35 is connected to the inner end of an operating-lever 36, as at 37, and said lever 36 carries a handle 38 and has its fulcrum in a bracket 39, secured to the outer face of the tank or receptacle 1.

The operation of the. structure, as shown in Fig. 1, is as follows: It will be assumed that the tank or receptacle 1 is filled with water and that the fioat 8 is at the top thereof. The handle 38 is grasped and the lever 36 rocked on its fulcrum, which will impart a vertical movement to the rod 35, elevating the plunger 30 upwardly within the tubular portion 20, bringing the shifting-arm 33 against the valve 18, and shifting the valve 18 over into the pocket 17. When the valve 18 is shifted on its seat, the water will be exhausted from the tank. When the lever 36 is released, the plunger 30 will assulne its normal. position, which is resting upon the arm 24. As the water discharges from the tank or receptacle 1 the same will pass through the hollow plunger into the casing 22 and thence into the stand-pipe. As the water is being exhausted from the tank the float 8 will be lowered and which will eventually cause the deflectingblade 14 to engage the valve 18 and move it from the pocket 17 back and upon its seat 21, consequently preventing the discharge of any more water from the tank or receptacle 1 and permitting of the tank being again supplied with water, and as the water is being supplied to the tank'or receptacle 1 the iioat will gradually rise therein.

The float 8 is substantially of the same co'ntour as the tank or receptacle 1, and when desired suitable means may be employed for guiding the float 8, and also the necessary packing can be employed for the short arm 34 as well as the rod 35.

In the modified construction (shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6) a detachable reservoir-section and IOO a detachable plunger-section is employed, and

said reservoir-section consists of an ovalshaped tank or receptacle 37, which is con" tracted at its top and provided withan upwardly-extending tubular extension 38, adapted to be connected, through the medium of the coupling-band 39, to a water-inlet supply-pipe 40, having a cut-off 41. The reservoir-section further comprises ahollow float 42, which is closed at its bottom and top and which may carry air or gas and is of such diameter with respect to the inner diameter of the said tank or receptacle 37 as to form a space or passage 43 entirely around said iioat 42 to permit of the flow of water, or rather the supply of water, from the top of said tank or receptacle 37 to the lower portion thereof, causing thereby the float 42 to rise. The float 42 is provided with an extensible and removable enlargeror diminisher 44 in the form of `a plurality of collars, (only one shown,') and said collars or strips are adapted to increase or decrease. the width of the passage 43, thereby increasing or decreasing the quantity of water supplied to the tank 37 or for regulating the supply of water to the tank or receptacle 37. Depending' from the bottom of the float 42, at one side thereof, is a wedge-shaped deflecting-blade 45,. which at its upper end is hinged to said iioat 42, as at 46. Thefunction of the said deflecting-blade 45 is the same as the deflecting-'blade 14. (Shown in Fig. l.) The lower portion of the tank or receptacle 37 is contracted, as at47, and is further formed with a vertically-extending tubular extension 48, which is secured, through the medium of the coupling-collar 49, to the plunger-section, which will be hereinafter referred to. The contracted portion 47 of the tank or receptacle 37 forms a pocket 50 for a shiftable globular valve 51, said valve being constructed of any suitable material. At one side of the pocket 47 a protuberance 52 is provided for retaining the valve 51 within the pocket 50 when said valve 51 is shifted of its seat. At the top of the tubular portion 48 a valveseat 53 is provided for the valve 51, and for this purpose the inner face of said tubular portion 48 at its upper end is beveled. Above the valve-seat 53 the inner face of the rear wall of the tank or receptacle 37 is formed with a beveled guide offset 54 to assist in deflecting the valve 51 when the latter is shifted off its seatinto the pocket 50. rlhe plungersection comprises a casing formed with an elbow-shaped portion 55, terminating at its top in a vertically-extending tubular portion 56, which is connected to the tubular portion 48 of the reservoi r-section through the medium of theconpling-collar49. Thetubular'portion 56 at its bottom is formed with an opening 57, the function of which will be hereinafter referred to, and the elbow-shaped portion 55 is provided with an opening 58 and further provided with a rearward extension 59, forming substantially what may be termed a dripcup for receiving the water that may pass through the opening 57, which after dropping into the rearward extension 59 passes into the 'elbow-shaped portion 55 through the opening 58. The lower end of the elbow-shaped portion 55 1s connected with the ordinary standat its lower end to the inner end of an operating-lever 64, which finds its fulcrum in a bracket 65, carried by the elbow-shaped portion 55. The operating-lever 64 is provided with a handle 66. The operation of the device shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 is the same as that hereinbefore referred to in connection with the device shown in Fig. 1.

The tank orv receptacle 1 or 37 is provided with any suitable means to permit of having access thereto when occasion requires. The tank or receptacle l or 37 may be constructed of any suitable material and of any other shape than that as shown, the structure shown being the preferred contour. The operatinglevers 36 or 64 may, if desired, be connected with the closet-seat in such manner as to operate automatically and also be provided with the handles, as shown, so as to be operated manually.

By providing the means for increasing the width of the passage 11 or 43 the device can flush double Aor triple the amount of water it holds when not iiushed or when inactive. The device being preferably rounded or ova] and at the same time comparatively small, the tank or receptacle can therefore be made ornamental and sightly. The same may be constructed of brass or White enamel in conformity to the other parts of the bath-room fixtures, or, if desired, the device can be entirely hidden out of sight-that is to say, built within the wall of the building. The space around the float, as before stated, can be regulated so as to increase or decrease it, as desired, so that twice or thrice the amount of water held by the tan-k or receptacle will be fiushed, since water will flow into the inlet while it is flowing out at the outlet; but owing to the size of the outlet with respect to the inlet the water will iow out at the outlet faster than it will fiow into the inlet, thus lowering the float, and by such construction it enables one to diminish the size of the tank or receptacle for containing water.

It is thought the many advantages of a fiushing device constructed in accordance with the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, can be thoroughly understood, and it will furthermore be evident that changes, variations, and modifications can be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and I therefore do not wish to restrict myself to the details of conlOO struction hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawings, but reserve the right to make such changes, Variations, and modifications as come properly within the scope of the protection prayed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A flushing device comprising a reservoirsection and a plunger-section communicating therewith, a valve arranged within said reservoir-section for normally closing the cornmunication between the two sections, means operable within said plunger-Section for shifting said valve from its normal position, thereby opening communication between the two sections, and a fioat operable in said reservoir-section and provided with means adapted to engage said valve for moving said valve to its normal position, thereby closing the communication between the said sections.

2. A flushing device involving a reservoir- Section having an inlet and an outlet, a shiftable valve for closing said outlet, and a fioat operable in said section and provided with means adapted to engage directly with said valve for moving it to its closure position after the same has been shifted, combined with means for shifting said valve.

3. A ushing device involving a reservoirsection having an inlet and an outlet, ashiftable valve for closing said outlet, and a float operable in said section and provided with means adapted to engage directly with said valve for moving it to its closure position after the same has been shifted, combined with a vertically operable and gravity return means for shifting said valve from its closure position.

4. A flushing device involving a reservoirsection having an inlet and an outlet, a shiftable valve for closing said outlet, and means operable in said section for returning said valve to its closure position after being shifted, combined with a plunger-section adapted to communicate with said reservoir-section when said valve is shifted from its closure position, said plunger-section provided with a vertically-operable andgravity-return hollow plunger provided with an inclined shifting-arm adapted to engage said valve when said plun- 'ger is operated, thereby shifting said valve from its closure position.

5. A {lushing device comprising a reservoir'- section and a plunger-section adapted to communicate tlierewitli,said reservoir-section having an inlet and an outlet, a shiftable Valve for closing said outlet, and a float provided with means adapted to engage saidk valve for returning it to its normal position after being shifted, and said plunger-section provided with a vertically-operable and gravity -return plunger adapted when operated to engage said valve for shifting it from its closure position.

6. A flushing device comprising a reservoirwith a vertically-operable and gravity-returnV hollow plunger having a shifting-arm adapted to engage said valve when said plunger is operated, thereby shifting said valve from its closure position. A

7. A fiushing device comprising a reservoirsection and a plunger-section adapted to communicate with each other; said reservoir-section provided with a globular valve for closing communication between the two sections, and said plunger-section provided with a vertically-operable and gravity return hollow plunger having an inclined shifting arm adapted when said plunger is operated to engage said valve and shift the same, thereby opening communication between the two scctions.

8. A ushing device comprising a reservoir and a plunger section adapted to communicate with each other, said reservoir having an inlet and an outlet and a valve for normally closing said outlet, said reservoir-section further provided with a pocket adapted to receive said valve when shifted and further provided with means for retaining the valve within the pocket,said reservoir-section further provided with a float having means adapted to engage said valve for moving said valve out of said pocket, thereby returning the valve to its normal position, and said plunger-section provided with a vertically-operable and gravityreturn hollow plunger adapted to engage the said valve for shifting it from its seat, thereby opening said outlet.

9. A flushing device comprising a reservoir and a plunger section adapted to communicate with each other, said reservoir-section having an inlet and an outletand avalve for normally closing said outlet, said reservoir-section further provided with a pocket adapted to receive said valve when shifted and further provided with means for retaining the valve within the pocket, said reservoir-section further provided with aiioat having means adapted to engage said valve for moving said valve out of said pocket, thereby returning the valve to its normal position, and said plungersection provided with a vertically-operable and gravity-return plunger adapted to engage said valve for shifting it, thereby opening said outlet.

10. A flushing device involving a reservoirsection comprising a tank, and a fioat operable in said tank and of such diameter as to form a passage between it and the tank, said float provided with means for increasing or4 decreasing the width of said passage.

11. A iiushing device involving a reservoir- IOO IIO

section comprising a tank, a iioat operable in said tank and of such diameter as to form a passage between it and the tank, said iioat provided with means for increasing or decreasing the width of said passage, said iioat further provided with a centrally-arranged passage, and adjustable means for closing the lower end of said centrally-arranged passage.

12. A iiushing device comprising a reservoir and a plunger section adapted to communicate with each other, a shiftable valve for normally closing communication between said sections, a vertically-movable means arranged within said reservoir-section and when moving in one direction adapted to directly engage said valve for shifting it to normal position, and means arranged in said plungersection and adapted when operated to engage said valve and shift it from normal position.

13. A flushing device comprising a reservoir and a plunger section adapted to communicate with each other, a shiftable globular valve for closing communication between the two sections, said reservoir-section provided with a pocket adapted to receive said valve when shifted from normal position, means arranged in said plunger-section and adapted when operated to engage said valve for shifting it into said pocket, and a vertically-movable means arranged in said reservoir-section and adapted to engage `said valve for moving it out of said pocket and into the normal position.

14. A flushing device comprising a reservoir and a plunger section adapted to communicate with each other, a shiftablc globular valve for closing communication between the two sections, said reservoir-section provided with a pocket adapted to receive said valve when shifted from normal position, a vertically operable and gravity return hollow plunger arranged in said plunger-section and adapted when operated to shift said valve into said pocket, and a vertically-movable means arranged in said reservoir-section and adapted to engage said valve for shifting it from said pocket into normal position.

15. A flushing device comprising a reservoir and a plunger section adapted to communicate with each other, a shiftable globular valve for closing communication between the two sections, said reservoir-section provided with a pocket adapted to receive said valve when shifted from normal position, a vertically operable and gravity return hollow plunger arranged in said plunger-section and adapted when operated to shift said valve into said pocket, and a float arranged in said reservoir-section and provided with means adapted to engage said valve for shifting it out of said pocket into normal position.

16. A flushing device involving a reservoirsection communicating with a Water-supply and provided with an outlet, a shiftable valve for closing said outlet, a float oper. ble in said reservoir-section and provided with a hinged deflecting-blade adapted to engage said valve when shifted for returning it to its closure position, combined with means for shifting said valve from its closure position.

17. A flushing device involving a reservoirsection communicating with a water-supply and provided with an outlet, a shiftable means for closing said outlet, and a float of less diameter than said sections forming thereby a Water-passage, said float provided with means adapted to engage said valve when shifted for returning it to its closure position, and means carried by the float for increasing or decreasing the width of said passage, combined with means for shifting said valve from its closure position. v

18. A self-flushing device involving a water-chamber having an outlet, a valve for closing 'said outlet, a vertically-movable hollow plunger for shifting said valve from its closure position, said plunger operable on the application of pressure and adapted to form a seal to prevent the discharge of Water from said chamber until pressure is removed, and a series of elements, one of which is connected with said plunger and adapted to be automatically operated when pressure is applied to impart a vertical movement to said plunger.

In testimony whereof 1 have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

OLIN M. ALEXANDER.

Witnesses:

SAML. L. CooK, E. W. LnDBn'rTnR. 

